Summer Meal Ideas with Leftover Bread

In the winter months, we often think of leftover bread for stuffing and bread pudding, but here are a few ideas for how to use your leftover bread in summer meals.

Croutons

Everything is better with bread, including our greens. You can make croutons using your BBQ, or toast them in your oven. They are so easy to make! Simply brush your bread with olive oil and add seasoning, or if using COBS Bread Focaccia or Turkish Bread, the seasoning is already included! Store your croutons in a sealed container on the counter for up to 3 days, or freeze them for longer.

Breadcrumbs

Most of us know we can use breadcrumbs as a topping, but did you also know they make a great binding agent in a hamburger patty, or for coating meats and veggies to grill or fry? The trick is to use a thinner breadcrumb for these applications which you can make yourself using a food processor. The drier the bread, the finer texture you will get, so if using a fresher bread, first toast it in your oven to dry it out, then tear it into chunks to go into your food processor. Use the pulse function to chop it until it is very fine.

There are a couple of types of finer bread crumbs that you can make. Panko bread crumbs work great in your hamburger patties and are often made with white bread, crusts removed. They are often described as slightly flakier than dry bread crumbs, but would still be considered very fine. When making a more traditional dry breadcrumb, leave the crusts on and consider customizing your flavour with lemon zest, oregano, parsley or other herbs. What a great way to dress up a boring old chicken breast!

Bread Chips

Take your Chips & Dip to another level with your own healthier homemade chips or crackers using leftover bread. It is easier if you use unsliced bread, but you can also use sliced bread for a slightly thicker chip or cracker. Get creative and use your cookie cutters to make cracker shapes and season with spices and herbs. Simply cut, brush with olive oil, season and bake in the oven for 10-15 min at 425°F until crispy.